Prelude Opening Solo
Celebrating the Light of Christ Christmas Eve Service December 24, 2023
Closing Hymn: Silent Night, Holy Night #239
We will light our candles at this time (children will light their flashlights).
Dip the UNLIGHT candle to the flame.
At the conclusion of the service, you may place your candles in the basket in the back of the sanctuary.
Silent night, holy night
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
All is calm, all is bright
Christ Candle Lighting Liturgy for Lighting the Christ Candle | Spacious Faith Leader: We give thanks for the light of hope —unrelenting and inexplicable. Congregation: Our hope in Christ shines on.
Leader: We give thanks for the light of peace—strong and unafraid. Congregation: The peace of Christ lights our way.
Leader: We give thanks for the light of joy—persistent and unpredictable.
Congregation: The joy of Christ brightens our lives.
Leader: We give thanks for the light of love-pure and holy.
Congregation: TheloveofChristcomfortsandchallenges.
Leader: Now let us light the Christ candle as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Congregation: Thank you, God, for your light in this world through Jesus Christ.
Leader: The light shines in the darkness.
All: And the darkness has not overcome it.
Opening Prayer www.ministrymatters.com
God of Surprising Love and Hope, we come this evening to the manger, gazing lovingly on the Child born to bring hope to the world. Open our hearts tonight as we hear the story anew. Help us to be guided by the Light of Jesus Christ, that we may truly feel the power of your love and bring that love, with joy, to all we meet. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Glories stream from heaven afar
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Silent night, holy night
With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King
wondrous star, lend thy light,
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Opening Hymn: p. 218
Isaiah 9:2-8
Special Music
Luke 2: 1-14, (15-20)
Message: “Being Present: The Light” Offering
“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”
Benediction Song: We Wish You A Merry Christmas
(Sing X2)
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year
“Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.” Ruth Carter Stapleton
